18th Century Suits. Gentlemen’s suits in the 18th century consisted of a full-skirted knee-length coat, knee breeches and a vest or long waistcoat which could have sleeves (Reference: Victoria and Albert Museum). They were the forerunner of the modern suit. Below are some examples of 18th century suits.
Suit 1774–92 French Embroidery with silk floss was executed à la disposition, created in predetermined pattern shapes, thus to accord fully with the silhouette and outlines of the suit. Even the embroidered buttons reiterate on a secondary scale the florals of the jacket.
Reference: The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Men’s suit Made in France, Europe, c 1770.
This three piece suit comprising a coat, knee length breeches and waistcoat from France, c.1770, represents the most characteristic form of men’s dress in the 18th century. Although men’s fashions were much more standardised than women’s, change was expressed through details such as the size and shape of collars, cuffs and pockets and the use of different fabrics, such as the green gros de Naples silk brocaded with tiny pink and white rosebuds in this example. The suit creates a slightly pear-shaped silhouette through the narrow shoulders, flat chest and softly rounded belly, which was considered the masculine ideal for this time. This shape was achieved through the narrow cut of the shoulder in the jacket and the front edges curving steeply to create an inverted V shape, emphasising the hips. Flamboyant by today’s standards, at the time this suit reflected a trend to greater sobriety.
This suit is a rare example of well-preserved late 18th century men’s dress
Reference: Museum of Applied Art and Sciences
This plain brown wool day suit exemplifies the fashions of middle class Frenchmen in the 1780s, at a time when Anglomania (love of English style) was noticeable in French society, even at the Court. It is the sort of clothing sometimes depicted in the inventories of manufacturers and industrialists, for example. The suit is accessorised with fine cut steel buttons, which may be of English manufacture, possibly Birmingham or Wolverhampton. Cut steel accessories were stocked by high class retailers in Paris,who imported English made-goods, such as Madame Blakey’s Magazin Anglois (English shop) in rue des Prouvaires, very close to the prestigious rue St Honoré. Toyware (small metalwork goods such as buttons and buckles) were important commodities in British industrialisation in the 18th century.
Where possible the raw edge of the wool is used as the edge to the garments – e.g. the collars, the front edges, the pleats, the bottom edge of the coat and waistcoat and the edge of the waistband. It is attached to the lining in each case by a small running stitch, about 3mm from the edge.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
An 18th Century gentleman’s three-piece suit, consisting of jacket, long waistcoat and breeches, all of apple green silk, the jacket lined with a matching silk twill, all fastening with self-fabric covered buttons. (3)
Sold for £ 364 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2004
A GENTLEMAN’S SUIT OF UNCUT BLACK VELVET MID 18TH CENTURY comprising coat, waistcoat and breeches in soot-black velvet
Sold for GBP 30,000 at Christie’s in 2010
GENTS ENGLISH THREE-PIECE DRESS SUIT, LATE 18th C. Cream silk faille with figured stripe, coat having deep cuff and shaped pocket flap, the waistcoat trimmed in silk and metallic brocade floral bands with silver and blue sequins, fall front breeches with waistband pocket and front button pockets, floral knee band, all three pieces with brocade and sequined buttons. Inked tape labels: Mr. Clement Ashfield. Coat Ch-36, Sh-14 1/2, Slv-24, L-48, W-33, inseam 18. (Few minor stains on coat, one underarm torn, missing one back button, linings partially replaced, small holes in seat of breeches, minor split and pinhole in waistcoat) very good.
Sold for $2,200 at Charles A. Whitaker Auction Co. in 2015
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